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EU Imposes Sanctions on Tech Giant VK and State-Backed MAX Messaging App
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The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian technology company VK, the owner of the social media platform VKontakte, as well as its subsidiary responsible for developing Russia's national messaging application MAX.
The measures were adopted by the Council of the European Union on July 13 and published in the EU's Official Journal.
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In total, the Council added individuals and entities to its sanctions list, accusing them of involvement in cyberattacks, cyber espionage, and other hostile cyber activities carried out on behalf of Russia.
According to the Council's decision, VK provided Russian authorities with personal data belonging to users who had published content criticizing Russia's war against Ukraine or other material prohibited under Russian law.
The EU also stated that the development of the MAX messaging application was carried out under the supervision of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
The designations come shortly after the European Union and the United Kingdom announced a coordinated sanctions package targeting 24 individuals and entities accused of supporting Russia's cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, and hybrid activities across Europe.
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According to the UK government, the measures are intended to counter what London described as Russia's “persistent and increasingly reckless attempts to sow chaos and division across Europe.” Those sanctioned include individuals and organizations allegedly involved in cyberattacks and other hybrid operations, including cybercriminal networks acting on behalf of Russian intelligence services.
The latest sanctions also follow Apple's removal of VK applications from the App Store. Responding to the move in June, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russian authorities would seek an explanation from the US technology company before deciding on possible countermeasures, according to The Moscow Times.
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